New UK Immigration and asylum statistics

The Home Office have recently released statistics on immigration, asylum applications, migration from Eastern Europe and removals of those illegally in the UK for the period July to September 2009.

"Net migration is falling, showing that migrants come to the UK for short periods of time, work, contribute to the economy and then return home" said Phil Woolas, Border and Immigration Minister.

According to the Government the Office for National statistics figures show the following:

Applications from nationals of the new EU Countries to work in the United Kingdom under the worker registration scheme was at 29,085 for the period July to September 2009. It was 41,265 for the same period last year and 28,060 in the second quarter April to June of 2009.

The Governments says that according to the Office for National Statistics net migration went down to 163,000 in 2008, from 233,000 in 2007. They say that this is the lowest level since the eight accession countries joined the European Union in 2004.

Asylum applications have fallen to 5,055 for the third quarter of 2009 - 24 per cent down compared to the same period in 2008.

The speed of processing for decisions on asylum cases has gone up by 38 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2008. The percentage of asylum claims that have been approved has gone down to 12 per cent. The Government also said that in December 2008 the UK Border Agency met its target of deciding 60 per cent of new asylum cases within six months.

Many of those coming to settle in the UK are according to the statistics British citizens. British citizens comprise a greater percentage of arrivals than any other nationality. In 2008 85,000 people representing 14 percent of those coming to live in the UK were British citizens.

"Our new, flexible points-based system gives us greater control over those coming to work or study from outside Europe, ensuring that only those that Britain need can come."

"Our border has never been stronger, as illustrated by the fall in asylum applications and the record numbers we are stopping at Calais."

"We are making the UK a more hostile place for illegal immigrants by issuing foreign nationals with identity cards, checking those who apply for visas against watch-lists and fining those who employ illegal workers."